[autotag]Jimmie Johnson[/autotag] barely made the 2024 Daytona 500 and had high hopes entering the race on Monday evening. However, Johnson’s competitive chances didn’t last long after a wreck triggered by Brad Keselowski and John Hunter Nemechek. The driver of the No. 84 car tried to sneak through but was involved and suffered major steering damage.
Following Johnson’s long day and 28th-place finish, he talked about the early wreck and the damage in the incident. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was very disappointed that he couldn’t truly race long with a clean car.
“I had hoped to race longer. It’s a matter of time before you get caught up in something around here,” Johnson said. “There’s optimism in the beginning, hopeful we could straighten out the suspension and then at least run in the draft.”
Early trouble. Harrison Burton takes a big hit. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/AkfbtBYNe8
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2024
“Then, as time went on, we realized the severity of the damage, and we just had too much damage to even really hang in the draft unless I had a unique situation. So then, at that point it was just wondering if there were going to be more cautions and if we would gain some positions through the cautions.”
Johnson has a new appreciation for the Daytona 500 after being forced to qualify for the event through the qualifying duels. The Legacy Motor Club driver couldn’t race competitively for most of the event, but it was still a great experience. Johnson’s next race in the Cup Series will take place at Texas Motor Speedway on April 14.
[lawrence-related id=6320]